AIP Genre Movies Such As ‘The Undead’ Getting Modern Versions

EXCLUSIVE: Producers Lou Arkoff (George Of The Jungle) and Donna Arkoff Roth (Grosse Point Blank) are teaming up with The Wonder Company (Sacramento) to develop modern reimaginings of vintage genre films from their family-owned catalog of American International Pictures (AIP) movies.

Founded by Samuel Z. Arkoff and James H. Nicholson in 1954, AIP was a pioneer in independent filmmaking, helping foster the careers of legendary filmmakers such as Roger Corman, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and John Milius. The AIP library hosts original IP that inspired modern franchises such as The Fast and The Furious, Mad Max and The Amityville Horror.

Arkoff, Roth and The Wonder Company—led by producers Eric B. Fleischman and Chris Abernathy—plan to breathe new life into a curated selection of the films. The partnership will focus on ten titles from AIP’s catalog, such as Day the World Ended, The Undead, and Jailbreakers.

Also joining the venture is producer Julia Roth who, alongside The Wonder Company, most recently wrote and produced Stone Cold Fox starring Kiernan Shipka and Keifer Sutherland.

UTA Independent Film Group will be representing remake and distribution rights on behalf of AIP and Wonder and will be discussing the venture at the Cannes Film Festival and market this week.

“We are going to reestablish the AIP formula of bringing in young, innovative filmmakers to write and direct these 50’s classics with a 21st century perspective,” said Lou Arkoff, who has previously created and produced series based on the AIP Library for HBO and Showtime.

“AIP had an uncanny ability to connect with young audiences by delivering films that were fresh, edgy, and entertaining,” added Donna Arkoff Roth, whose films include Benny and Joon, Grosse Pointe Blank, and 13 Going on 30. “We’re excited to reintroduce these films to a new generation while preserving the rebellious spirit that made them so impactful.”

Fleischman and Abernathy commented: “There’s a huge appetite for smart, stylish genre films, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with Lou and Donna to bring these stories back in an exciting new way.”